JONESBORO, Ark. (2/6/13) — First-year Arkansas State head football coach Bryan Harsin announced on National Signing Day that 20 high school and junior college standouts, including four midyear signees, from seven different states have inked with the Red Wolves.

The Red Wolves’ first recruiting class under Harsin is made up of 16 high school players and four junior college transfers. The class features five players from Alabama, four from both Texas and Arkansas, three from California, two from Mississippi and one from Kentucky and Missouri.

The Red Wolves signed five defensive backs, the most among any position, and have inked 12 players expected to play on the defensive side of the ball. Also among the signees are three linebackers, three defensive ends and one defensive lineman. Including three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two tight ends and one offensive lineman, A-State signed eight offensive players.

“We are extremely excited about the young men we’ve signed and believe this is an outstanding class,” said Harsin. “We feel like we’ve met our needs and will be able to fill many of the vacancies left with the departure of our graduating seniors. All these players will bring a great contribution both on and off the field to this program, and we will continue to bring in the best and brightest to Arkansas State.”

Among the 20 newest Red Wolves are nine players rated at least three stars by one or more of the major recruiting sources and nine who earned either junior college all-conference or high school all-state recognition. Additionally, eight ASU signees were ranked among the top 55 players in their home state and 12 rated among the top 150 players in the country at their position by either Scout, Rivals, ESPN or 247 Sports.

The Red Wolves are coming off back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championships and a victory over 25th-ranked Kent State in the 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl.

ASU ended the 2012 season receiving votes in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top-25 polls and will enter the 2013 season tied for the nation’s second longest winning streak with Stanford and behind only Ohio State. ASU is one of just 16 programs in the nation to win at least 20 games over the last two seasons.

Helped lead Florence High School to a 7-4 record and playoff appearance as a senior . . . Finished his senior year with over 100 tackles, 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in his first year playing defense. . .He was also voted team captain and named most improved player following the 2012 season. . . Named to the Florence Times Daily Class 4A-6A All-Defense Team as an honorable mention selection . . . Also an accomplished track athlete. . . Irving is an Honor student with a 3.0 GPA and plans to major in engineering. . . Irving is a teammate of fellow signee Jamaris Hart.

Cameron Birse: 6-2, 215, Fr., QB, Danville, Calif. (San Ramon Valley)

Completed 217-of-360 passing attempts for 3,007 yards (250.5 ypg) and 31 touchdowns as a senior . . . Named an All-East Bay selection following his senior campaign . . . Was selected as the team MVP following the 2012 football season . . . One of two QB’s selected to play on the USA Under-19 National Team . . . Cameron is the latest of a long line of QB’s from San Ramon high school — Sam Keller (Nebraska), Joe Southwick (Boise State), and Zach Klein (Cal) . . . Has a 3.5 GPA, is on the school leadership committee and plans to major in medicine while attending Arkansas State.

Logan Cart: 6-4, 300, DL, Owensboro, Ky. (Owensboro Catholic)

Was a two-way starter at Owensboro Catholic, leading the school to an 11-1 record this past fall . . . Tallied 70 tackles with 17 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries in senior season . . . Named to the 2012 all-state team . . . Recorded eight tackles and a sack in the Border Bowl High School All-Star game that features high school players from Kentucky and Tennessee . . . No. 55 defensive tackle in the nation and No. 8 player in the state of Kentucky according to 247Sports.com’s composite rankings.

Brandon Cox: 5-8, 165, Fr., WR, Conway, Ark. (Conway)

Helped lead Conway to the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs as a senior . . . As a senior, recorded 39 catches for 653 yards and had 29 rushes for 174 yards to earn first team All-State honors . . . Recorded 63 receptions for 1,127 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, while also posting two punt returns and two kickoff returns for touchdowns . . . Averaged 32.5 yards per kick return . . . For his career, he finished with 117 catches for 1,939 yards and 14 touchdowns . . . Named all-state as a junior in both football and track and field . . . Ranked as the No. 7 player in the state of Arkansas by 247Sports.com.

*Willie Fletcher: 6-3, 180, Fr., CB, Carson, Calif. (Orange Lutheran)

Midyear signee who will be eligible to compete in A-State’s spring camp . . . A four-year letter winner who spent his final two prep seasons at Orange Lutheran High School after playing his first two campaigns at Junipero Serra High School . . . A versatile prep player who saw time at cornerback, wide receiver and safety, while also returning kicks and playing on special teams . . . Named his team’s Most Improved Player in 2011 as a senior when he totaled 35 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery on defense . . . Chipped in with four receptions for 46 yards on offense in his senior campaign . . . Recorded two interceptions in the Literacy Classic All-Star Game to earn Player of the Game honors and added another pick in the Prep All-Star Game . . . Team won both of the postseason contests that followed his senior season . . . Also played two seasons of basketball, including a 2010-11 junior campaign in which he was named his team’s best defensive player and scored 16.0 points per game . . . Was also a track and field sprinter as a prep.

Jeremy Fulcher: 6-1, 175, S, Dallas, Texas (Woodrow Wilson)

Played both safety and running back at Woodrow Wilson . . . Rushed for 791 yards and 10 touchdowns on 108 carries (7.3 yards per attempt) as a senior . . . Named the 2012 District 12-4A Offensive MVP . . . Recorded 48 tackles and three interceptions as a junior while helping lead the Wildcats to a 10-2 record and the area finals in the state playoffs . . . All-District 12-4A selection at defensive back as a junior . . . He is a team captain and ranked as one of the top 100 safety’s in the nation.

Jamaris Hart: 5-9, 170, Fr., CB, Florence, Ala. (Florence)

Helped lead Florence to a 7-4 record and playoff appearance as a senior . . . Recorded 30 tackles, two interceptions, 12 pass break-ups and one kickoff return for a touchdown as a senior. . . Jamaris was also named a team captain for the 2012 football season . . . Named to the Florence Times Daily Class 4A-6A All-Defense Team as a first team selection . . . Jamaris is also an honor student with over a 3.0 GPA and plans to major in physical therapy . . . Is a teammate of fellow signee Irving Adams.

Jonah Hill: 6-3, 235, Fr., TE, Springfield, Mo. (Hillcrest)

Played quarterback, tight end and deep snapper during his high school career . . . Passed for 1,872 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also rushing for 818 yards on 167 attempts with 15 touchdowns at quarterback to help lead Hillcrest to a 10-2 record and co-Ozark Conference championship in 2012 . . . Named to the 2012 Springfield News-Leader All-Ozarks Team . . . Recorded 693 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 39 receptions as a junior /. . . Ranked as one of the top 150 tight ends in the nation.

Colin Janice: 5-11, 170, Fr., S, Orange, Texas (West Orange-Stark)

Three-year varsity starter at West Orange-Stark High School . . . Played safety and linebacker for the Mustangs . . . Helped lead West Orange-Stark to a 13-1 record and quarterfinal appearance in the state playoffs during his senior season . . . Named First Team All-District 21-3A as a sophomore, junior and senior . . . Earned All-Orange Leader Football Team recognition . . . Member of the Port Arthur News Super Team roster as a senior . . . Helped lead the Mustangs to a 10-4 record and the regional finals as a junior . . . Named to the 2011 Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Football Team . . . Was voted a team captain in 2012 . . . Also an accomplished track athlete, he placed second in the state of Texas with a 48.76 400-meter dash time . . . Ranked as the No. 4 cornerback and the No. 90 player in the state of Texas by Rivals.

Mark Johnson: 6-1, 190, LB, Prescott, Ark. (Prescott)

Played both defensive end and wide receiver during his senior season . . . Recorded 90 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during his senior season, earning all-state recognition . . . Helped lead Prescott to a 10-3 record and quarterfinal appearance in the state playoffs . . . Posted 83 tackles and 7.5 sacks as a junior, earning all-district honors . . . Helped lead the Curley Wolves to a 13-1 record and Conference 6-3A title in 2011 . . . Johnson is rated as the No. 16 player in the state of Arkansas . . . Competes in track in high school and posted a top time of 22.40 in the 200m dash.

Ja’Von Jones: 6-2, 220, Fr., DE, Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite)

Recorded 64 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and one interception as a senior . . . Tied for the most sacks in the state during the regular season . . . Was top 5 in the state in tackles for loss… Associated Press all-state team as an honorable mention selection as a senior . . . Named District 12-5A Co-Defensive MVP in 2012 . . . Named to the SportsDay’s All-Area Team as a second team selection . . . Helped lead Mesquite to an undefeated regular season and final record of 11-1 . . . Team advanced to the second round (Area) of the Class 5A state playoffs . . . Dallas Morning News Player of the Week on Oct. 8 after recording nine tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble in a victory over Rockwall-Heath . . . He was a team captain, MVP, and most outstanding linebacker.

*Garrett Kaufman: 6-1, 225, Fr., LB, Bentonville, Ark. (Bentonville)

As a midyear signee, Kaufman will be eligible to participate in A-State’s spring camp . . . Three-year varsity starter who completed a decorated career at both linebacker and running back with the Tigers in 2012 . . . Earned all-conference honors as both a junior and senior and all-state recognition in 2012 . Kaufman was named All-Arkansas, the conference’s defensive player of the year and a finalist for the Farm Bureau Class 6A/7A Defensive Player of the Year in the state after recording 129 tackles from his linebacker position . . . Helped lead Bentonville to three conference championships, posting 114 tackles as a junior and rushing for more than 700 yards during his sophomore campaign . . . He was a member of the AP Super Team and KURM Dream Team as a junior as well . . . Ranked as the No. 10 player in the state of Arkansas by ESPN.com.

Carl Lee, Jr: 6-3, 190, Fr., WR, Mobile, Ala. (McGill-Toolen)

Recorded 40 catches for 568 yards and 7 touchdowns . . . Helped lead McGill-Toolen High School to a 12-1 record, including a 7-0 record in the 6A Region 1 conference, and a second round berth in the Alabama State Playoffs. . . Ranked as the No. 128 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 27 overall player in the state of Alabama by ESPN.com . . . Named McGill-Toolen Scholar athlete (3.0 GPA or higher for athletes) . . . Named to the 2011 and 2012 6A All-Region team.

In 2011 El Camino finished 8-3, ranked 6th in the California Community College Football Poll (Southern California), and fell to Mount San Antonio in the National Bowl game as Mathieu played in eleven games at defensive end . . . Mathieu recorded 22 total tackles (14 solo ), 6.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one pass break-up, eight quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery . . . In 2012 El Camino finished 3-7 as Mathieu started at defensive end and recording 27 total tackles (17 solo), 9 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and three pass break-ups in nine games . . . Before attending El Camino, played at Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, Calif.

Jerry Moorehead: 6-4, 210, Fr., TE, Camden Ark. (Camden Fairview)

Led Fairview to a 14-0 record and a state championship in 2012 . . . Recorded 54 rushes for 243 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior . . . Also recorded 54 catches for 855 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012 . . . He was selected to the all-state team in both 2011 and 2012 . . . Named to the 2012 Farm Bureau Awards Watch List recognizing the top offensive and defensive player in the state for each high school classification . . . Named all-conference in 2011 and 2012 as well . . . Helped lead the Cardinals to an 11-2 record and Conference 5A Southwest championship as a junior when he completed 29-of-38 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns while running 100 times for 712 yards and 10 scores . . . Selected to the All-Golden Triangle team his last two seasons . . . Team Captain and also a letterman in basketball and track and field . . . Was also a teammate of current Arkansas State football player Derek Keaton.

Chris Odom: 6-4, 230, Fr., DE, Arlington, Texas (Martin)

Helped lead the Martin High School Warriors to a 7-4 record and playoff appearance . . . Recorded 32 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one pass defended as a senior . . . Class 5-3A all-district selection at defensive end . . . Father, Cliff, played 13 years in the NFL at linebacker with the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins . . . Older brother, Clifton, played defensive back at Baylor . . . Also participated in track and field.

Dijon Paschal: 6-2, 185, Fr., WR, Tallassee, Ala. (Tallassee)

Helped lead Tallassee High School to a 9-3 record and the second round of the 4A Alabama state playoffs . . . Montgomery Advertiser’s Class 1A-4A All-Metro Player of the Year . . . Named to the Alabama Sports Writers’ Association All-State Football Team as an honorable mention selection . . . Rushed for 884 yards and 11 touchdowns, caught 28 passes for 450 yards and six scores and returned a kickoff for a touchdown as a senior . . . Two-time All-Metro selection by the Montgomery Advertiser . . . Ranked as the No. 30 overall player in the state of Alabama by 247Sports.com . . . Also plays basketball for THS.

Will have two years of eligibility remaining at Arkansas State and as a midyear signee will be able to participate in A-State’s spring camp . . . Helped lead Copiah-Lincoln to a 9-3 record and No. 14 ranking in the final NJCAA Poll in 2012 . . . With Rogers taking the snaps, the Wolfpack claimed their first Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) state championship since 1985 . . . As a sophomore, he put up numbers that were among the best in the country with 3,164 passing yards and 30 touchdowns . . . His 263.7 yards per game were the sixth most among all NJCAA players and his passing touchdowns ranked as the fourth most . . . Connected on 241-of-390 passing attempts for a 61.8 completion percentage and also posted a long pass of 75 yards and long run of 82 . . . Named a MACJC Second Team All-State selection for his efforts as a sophomore . . . Attended Brookhaven Academy.

Will have two years of eligibility remaining at Arkansas State and as a midyear signees will be able to participate in A-State’s spring camp . . . Redshirted his true freshman season at Itawamba before starting at tackle for the Indians as both a freshman and sophomore . . . Earned MACJC Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore after helping Itawamba to a 6-3 record, including a 24-23 win over then-ranked No. 3 East Mississippi Community College in its season finale . A key member of the Indians’ offensive line that paved the way for 393.2 yards and 24.4 points per game in 2012 . . . Tutor was named first team all-area in both 2008 and 2009 at Pontotoc (Miss.) High School . . . Three-year varsity letterman . . . Received his school’s leadership award as a senior and was an alternate in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game.

Xavier Woodson: 6-2, 200, Fr., LB, Eufaula, Ala. (Eufaula)

Recorded 88 tackles (53 solo), two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one interception his senior year at Eufaula High School . . . Rushed for 664 yard and posted 199 receiving yards . . . Accounted for 12 total touchdowns . . . Helped lead EHS to an 8-3 record and first round appearance in the 5A Alabama state playoffs. . . As a junior, led the team in total tackles with 133 and returned multiple interceptions for touchdowns . . . Three-year varsity letterman and voted team captain for the 2012 season.